trailblazing american patriot, a warrior, a diplomat. the first black chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. the first black secretary of state, colin powell. his former deputy and close friend, richard armitage who talked to powell every day for decades says it was always about family. never in 40 years do i recall his ever failing to either start or end his day by telling what alma was doing, what michael and jane were doing, what linda was doing, and what anne marie and francis were doing, what the grandkids were doing. reporter: colin powell s son, michael, pausing to touch his father s coffin before sharing memories of life with his father. my sisters and i were raised under the stars, the stars of the storied general that we eulogize today. but our family life was unregimented. no morning revelry or marching drills. it was a warm and joyous and
me what alma was doing, what michael and jane were doing, what linda was doing, what annamarie and francis with the grandkids were doing. the reason i mention this, is because i think as a husband, as a father, as a friend, i do not think we share often enough how we really feel with our family. sometimes i think we take it for granted. i want you to know, that he did not take it for granted every morning or evening. i heard about it. so, god bless colin powell and god bless the powell family and god bless us all. thank you.